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Month: October 2014

Last week we had an opportunity to scout a new lake for episode one of Kayak Bass Adventures. We were joined by Steven Bardin of Texas Pro Lake Management. Check out the behind the scenes footage of what goes into making a trophy bass lake.

Kayak Bass Adventures is pleased to announce that we just raised over $20,000 for Heroes on the Water – our chosen charity and a fabulous organization committed to helping our injured military personnel.

The funds – $20,812.65 to be exact – were raised at our Second Annual Poker Tournament on October 2 hosted at the Colleyville, Texas home of Terry Sandlin, a principal of Sandlin Homes. This is the second year in a row that we held this fundraiser for this worthy cause, bringing our total raised to almost $50,000.
I first learned of Heroes on the Water at a bass fishing tournament – and was so touched by the veteran’s story and so impressed by the organization that I wanted myself and my fellow bass fisherman buddies to do our part. Heroes on the Water helps our nation’s veterans from all branches of the military unwind using the therapeutic qualities of fishing from kayaks. Founded in 2007, this unique fishing program gives these warriors a chance to decompress from the stresses associated with combat and the rigorous physical and mental rehabilitation they must endure when they get back. Guided fishing trips are hosted for these veterans by Heroes on the Water and held in local communities around the country. Funds raised at our Poker Tournament will go directly to help hold more events.
I can’t think of a better way to support our community as well as our military than this worthwhile cause. It was an honor just to be involved. I have experienced such joy from my fishing that I am always looking for opportunities to share it with others and what could be better than combining honoring our serviceman with the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy nature?
At the event, participants enjoyed a fabulous dinner, played poker and took part in a raffle. Top prizes included an Ipad, gift cards, exclusive fishing equipment and a Hobie kayak. The winner of this grand prize kayak kept the love flowing and donated it to the Heroes on the Water organization. For more information, visit their website at http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.com and consider your own fundraiser as well!
I would like to extend some special thanks to our sponsors and those who donated raffle items including
Title Sponsor- Valley-Dynamo, the largest manufacturer of pool tables, air hockey tables and foosball tables
Table Sponsors – Valley-Dynamo, Mariner-Sails, Champs Americana, Dominic Via, Guild Mortgage, Sandlin Homes.
Partner Sponsors – Hot On Homes, Anderson-Hanson-Blanton, Perry Hix, The Getz Team,
Product Sponsors – Temple Fork Outfitters, Smith Optics, Brute Outdoors, Hobie Fishing, Xcite Baits
And of course, to our poker players for their participation and donations!
If you missed the fun this year, mark your calendars for next September and be sure to join us again!

This is the account of the greatest, wildest & wettest trip that i have ever been on. All of us Know about the weather that moved through North Texas last Saturday morning. The smart one had cancelled their plans and were sawing logs to boom of thunder and the pater of rain on the window, some of my favorite sleeping conditions. I however, was outside loading gear and getting ready for an epic trip to southeast Texas and Lake Naconiche. The great thing about kayak fishing is you can always find someone as eager as you to make the trip and keep you company through the storm and long drive.

Jason and I pulled out of the driveway at 3:45 A.M. and all was well until we hit the biblical proportion of rain just outside of Dallas. This isn’t the type of rain where it is hard for a moment then lets you through. This rain was white knuckle, hydroplaning bad stuff. We eventually make it to the cut off west of Longview and that’s were the rain lightens up and we cruise to the lake with only the biggest of bass on our mind. As with any great road and not being familiar with the route we make a couple of wrong turns and have to do some back tracking to get back on the course. You have to watch those east Texas signs carefully sometimes they will point you in the wrong direction. Luckily for me I had Jason with me and he understands directions and schedules as he controls 45% of the free worlds railroad traffic. So with his instruction and choice words we make it to the lake.

It’s a miracle! The lake was calm and no sign of rain and we knew that this could be a magical day. Well, the rain and magic held off as the front blew in on us and soaked us for about four and a half hours. The cool thing was the action was steady enough and we caught enough quality fish to keep us from being miserable. The lake had changed over the last two years much like the weather of the day. When the lake opened it was a trophy bass lake and the stories of double digit after double digit were told. Today the DD’s are hard to come by and according to locals once they are caught they are either trucked off to farm ponds or dinner tables. One thing that hadn’t changed was the scenery and the timber. If you like pitching timber than this lake is for you. It’s 92.5% standing timber with a lay down at every turn. I have a tough time deciding where to cast because it all looks so rich. The action stayed steady and the conversation remained fresh, the rain came and went so we ended up putting a solid eleven hours on the water. Learning about the lake, cracking jokes and trying to call the the ten pounders when we couldn’t keeps the two’s off the line.

After the long grind and extreme conditions of the day Jason and I headed back to the launch for the load up and the long drive home. No big road trip is ever complete without the Whataburger double cheese with onion rings and a massive chocolate shake. That is our perscription for a recovery meal after living on dried mangos and beef jerky all day. If you want to have a great time catching a ton of fish and you have a day to kill grab a fishing buddy and head down to Lake Naconiche. How knows you may just find the ten pounder and have an excellent adventure. Good friends make it easy to kayak fish so thanks Jason O. & KJ for the outstanding time.

Fishing is a big deal to me. I have tried for a couple of years to instill that passion in my twelve year old son and finally he has caught the bug. Spending quality time on the water with my son is important o me because it is something he and I can share for a lifetime. I love looking at the photos and reading posts on forums about how a dad of 79 and son in his early 50’s are still getting it done in kayaks. My hope is that my son and I can share this bond for many years years to come. Here are three things I have observed about my son and I’s fishing relationship.

Let The Game Come To You. I have learned that by having my son innate the fishing conversation he takes it more seriously and is a better listener when receiving instructions.

Fish On A Kids Terms. I can fish for hours in any type of weather, kids usually cannot. I found that by breaking the trip up into segments of 1-2 hours help hold attention and will not burn out your child.

Don’t Take It To Seriously. Remember you are fishing with a kid so don’t beat them down with over the top instruction and always encourage them, even when they backlash your best bait caster!

When Jack and I head to the lake I want to make sure he has a great time, learns a few things and enjoys being outside. I learned by taking the laid back approach to fishing with my son works best for all of us and fosters great memories and anticipation of our next trip. Of course it always helps to have great fishing action whether its fishing for bass or catching a ton of perch on Ultralight equipment. For all of us Dads out there I know there are no better words you can hear on the the lake than when your son yells, “Hey Dad I got one!”

You see all types of clothes being worn by the kayak angler, from swim suits to long pants it boils down to personal preference. Living in the south I prefer shorts because i can wear them pretty well thru November. I have sampled many pairs of shorts from board short to Larry Bird style short – short. I have found that the American Fishing Tackle Company or AFTCO for short offers me the best fit and the most comfort.

I stumbled across these shorts due to to the relationship with the Hobie Fishing Team, however, that relationship doesn’t sway my opinion. I have to have quality, style and functionality. The Stealth Fishing Short offers all of that along with outstanding comfort. One of my large issues with shorts is that either they are too baggy or too tight, crotch to long or way to short. Believe me when you on the lake and you spend more time correcting your shorts than mending your line you have a clothing problem. the AFTCO Stealth exceeded my expectations over a long, hard and hot season.

What makes the shorts functional is that they are 95%Nylon Dobby and 5% Spandex. They are also AFLEX 2-way stretch. That helps in a kayak because my shorts seldom get into a bind. The Nylon allows for movement and the spandex along with the AFLEX 2 way all the material to stretch in whatever direction you are moving. These shorts are extremely water resistant so when I am putting in or taking out the water slides right off and drys out in minutes.

Another great feature of the short is that they are stylish. After you have finished on the water you can head straight into the bar, restaurant or church and fit right in. Simply take off your sweat stained T-shirt apply a fresh towel and strap on your Tommy Bahama and you are ready to roll. The detailed stitching brings the patterns out and gives the shorts a style that is outstanding.

Kayak anglers are tough on clothes. I go through numerous shorts and shirts throughout the season. I can say that when I purchased the AFTCO Stealth that they have worn great and haven’t sustained any rips along the inseam or pockets. The reason the pockets are tough is because the short is designed with the reinforced pliers pocket. This pocket allows you needle nose to slide in with out getting in the material and ripping it or gouging your legs. These shorts have become the go to short for Kayak Bass Adventures!

For me looking good is fishing good. Being comfortable on the water allows us additional hours out pursuing our passions for big fish. If you are looking for one of the best pairs of shorts you will ever own check out http://www.aftco.com and let them know that Kayak Bass Adventures sent you! Question of the day are you a shorts guy or a pants guy?

The fall season has opened up with cold fronts, swinging temperatures and hungry bass! Other than football there is no greeter thing than the fall feed up. Last week we hung out with FLW Pro, James Biggs and were amazed at his tactics for landing big fall bass.

We all know that seasonal patterns play a huge roll in where and how too fish. James Biggs keys on these patterns and samples where the fish should be this time of the year. “It’s time to move shallow and enjoy that spring time fall feeling!” Biggs told me as he cruised a shallow flat waving his cranking rod as it were a magic wand. I replied back, “Spring time Fall feeling?” I was quickly schooled in what this term meant to a FLW touring pro. Here are three quick tips to give you that Spring time Fall feeling.

Big flat banks with isolated cover produce big fish in the Fall pattern. The most effective way to probe these flats is with the Xcite Baits XB-1, Silent, crankbait.

Faster is better in the Fall. Speed up the retrieve and look for pockets of bait fish because when you find the bait you find find the bass. You are playing the ultimate reaction strike with fish in a feeding frenzy.

Be versatile. Should the crankbait bite be nonexistent don’t be afraid to switch gears and go with a brown jig. These fall fronts can knock the bite down for a day or so and if you find yourself caught in this pattern slow down and match the crawfish pattern.

Our day wound up being a combination of the above with a front pressing down the crankbait was the action of the morning producing big fish and then as the front passed through it gave way to an ever so slow jig bite. I learned two things from this trip. First, the pros are pros for a reason. I fished the same bait the same way and over the same spots as James, but at the end of the day James Biggs delivered bigger fish and was on a more consistent bite. Second, listen to the pro. if they tell you to slow down, speed up or get the net heed the warning and do what you are told because it will ut bigger fish on the end of your line. The purpose of a coach is to make you better. For more information on James Biggs feel free to reach out to him on Facebook at James Biggs Fishing. He will be happy to answer questions, share tips or just talk fishing. One last thing, that Spring time Fall feeling is going to be the only fast action you get until next spring so hammer down and get yours this fall. Feel free to share your Fall fishing tips and let us know what is working for you!

When we were kids and someone gave us a penny it wasn’t a big deal. Mainly it was a hassle and what can you buy with one cent. I thought this up and to the point that I was told about the power of one.

The power of one showed me that even when I think I’m not getting thru or doing something that is memorable I do still have an effect on people. That’s the key! Whatever you do and whoever you are in contact with have the potential to catch a part of your passion and spread the word. One to one, to hundreds, to thousands to millions – you never know.

Many of you know that Heroes on the Water is special to Kayak Bass Adventures. Below is the impact that one, small, event had for the organization. Whether you give of time, talent or money it is important for those who are spreading cheer, peace and good times on the water for some of Americas heroes. I would invite anyone reading this to check out Heroes on the Water. These guys are changing lives and you can help!